Tere Ishk Mein has brought back the nostalgia for movies that heal and break your heart in equal measure. If you’re a fan of intense, all-consuming, and possibly unrequited love, where emotions run wild and endings are anything but neat, here are 5 romantic films on unfinished love stories that will hit you right in the heart:
1. Devdas (2002)
Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Devdas isn’t just a film, it’s an outburst of love, ego, and self-destruction. The story follows Devdas who returns from London, still in love with his childhood sweetheart Paro, but his pride and society’s expectations tear them apart. As Paro is married off, Dev spirals into alcoholism and finds refuge in Chandramukhi, a courtesan who sees the pain behind his bravado. Yet, his heart remains chained to a love that’s long gone. Their unfinished love story leading to Dev dying outside Paro’s gates has stayed with audience decades later, marking it as cinema at its most devastating.
2. Rockstar (2011)
Imtiaz Ali’s Rockstar is a love story wrapped in flames, both artistic and emotional. Janardhan, a naïve boy dreaming of becoming a rock legend, is told that real pain fuels great music. He finds that pain in Heer, a woman he wasn’t supposed to fall in love with. Their bond is electric, but life and illness pull them apart just as they truly find each other. Ranbir Kapoor delivers a career-defining performance as a man whose art blossoms through heartbreak, while the haunting score by A.R. Rahman immortalizes his agony. The film ends not with resolution, but with raw, aching absence.
3. Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003)
At its heart, Karan Johar’s Kal Ho Naa Ho is about silent sacrifice in the face of inevitable loss. Aman, a terminally ill man, hides his love for Naina and instead brings her closer to Rohit, her best friend, believing she deserves a future he can’t give her. The film balanced joy and heartbreak masterfully, and SRK’s performance turned what could’ve been a melodrama into one of Bollywood’s most touching goodbyes.
4. Raanjhanaa (2013)
Aanand L Rai’s Raanjhanaa explores love that is fierce, messy and ultimately tragic. Kundan, a small-town boy, is hopelessly in love with Zoya from childhood but she loves someone else. His devotion turns obsessive, and when tragedy strikes, Kundan finds himself caught in a web of political deceit, guilt, and unrequited love. Despite all the pain, he never stops loving her even as it destroys him. Dhanush’s raw, vulnerable performance struck a nerve, especially in the film’s final moments, where love remains unanswered, but never denied.
5. Aashiqui 2 (2013)
Mohit Suri’s Aashiqui 2 is a heartbreaking exploration of love, fame, and the weight of personal demons. Rahul, a once-successful singer battling addiction, discovers Aarohi’s talent and helps her rise. As she flourishes, he crumbles under the pressure of his past and insecurities. Refusing to drag her down with him, Rahul makes the ultimate sacrifice, walking into the ocean so she can live her dreams without his shadow. The film’s soulful soundtrack amplified every emotion, leaving audience with a heavy message that sometimes love means letting go.
Gulshan Kumar, T-Series, and Colour Yellow present Tere Ishk Mein, produced by Aanand L Rai and Himanshu Sharma, produced by Bhushan Kumar and Krishan Kumar. The film directed by Aanand L Rai and written by Himanshu Sharma and Neeraj Yadav, is an A.R. Rahman musical with lyrics by Irshad Kamil. Starring Dhanush and Kriti Sanon, the film is scheduled to release worldwide in Hindi and Tamil on 28th November 2025.
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